With Ulster getting set for the journey down to Galway for a tussle at the Sportsground Stadium, Dan McFarland spoke to the media in a briefing ahead of the fixture. McFarland discussed the absences of a few key players, welcoming South African World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff to the group and his thoughts ahead of Ulster's opening interpro of the campaign.
On Tom O'Toole
"After Ireland camp, Tom went to get an update, and found that it would be better if he could get surgery earlier, because he was going to need that. We weren’t sure if he would do at that stage but he could carry on at that stage, play in the meantime and we just needed a date. We got next week so in the meantime he was able to play against the Bulls and now he will be off for about 4 or 5 weeks.
We collaborate closely with the IRFU on that, the idea was that he could have had another week off, but everyone thought given that he hadn’t played much, it would be a long period before he could get game time again so its better that he got to play and as you saw, he was excellent."
On Connacht Quarter Final revenge
I think there is always an element of that where ,the last time we met we didn’t do ourselves justice. They played very well in that game, we played one of our worst games of the year. There is definitely history around that but is it the biggest thing? I don’t think so.
We have an understanding that we need heart, passion that feeling of letting ourselves down but we also need to be clinical and good at the rugby. Their first two games of the season have shown some really good rugby, so we have to be on the money rugby wise, as well as being really pumped up for it."
On the winning start
"Very happy with the two wins, the first game Zebra Parma demonstrated how they play some really good rugby at the start of the season, I thought they were strong against the opsreys, they lost against Leinster and Sharks by 4 points last year so it was a really good test for us.
We wanted to make it a bit more comfortable but we had a s few struggles around the scrum. For the Bulls match I was really pleased with that win. The Bulls showed against the Scarlets what a good team they are, fast, big, physical really good set piece and they don’t lose any of their front five or forwards so it was a big challenge. It was difficult but these first two game the coaches have seen a lot of what we have been working on in pre-season."
Welcoming Steven Kitshoff
"Steven will take the same break as the Ireland guys 3 weeks, Steven has played the URC final, straight into South Africa camp, played all the warm up games, all the WC games, I want him to get a good break, I want him to feel fresh, looked after, and hit the ground running. Hopefully he will be back for the Glasgow game.
The World Cup confirmed that he is one of the best looseheads in the world, if not pushing to be the best LH in the world alongside Ireland's own, Andrew Porter, quality."
On Connacht challenge
"We have a few niggles, Dave Ewers and Cormac Izuchukwu came off with concussion, Kieran Treadwell is carrying a hip injury. It is what it is, these things come and go in swings and roundabouts but we will have 23 hungry guys going down to Galway and we will enjoy that challenge."
Back Row player Nick Timoney says the Ulster squad are under no illusions about the test they face this weekend in Galway.
On Connacht
"They have started the season really well, they look strong and have somenew coaches. They have an established dangerous combination in that they are well drilled, have talented players and after last year nobody needs to tell us how tough it will be going down to the Sportsground.
Certainly for interpro games, there will be a good atmosphere, their backs are dangerous, strong forwards, they have good breakdown threats and their set piece is strong. We know them well and it will be a tough challenge."
On the Quarter-Final defeat
"In general the disappointment of last season has been a big motivating factor through season ,there was a lot of frustration, regret and a bitter feeling. We have got stuck into that and it's a great opportunity this weekend to show that we are on the up."
Change in the group
"We lost a large group of players in the summer but have some younger promising lads coming through. They are training well, showing in the pre-season games when they get their chance that they are showing what they can do.
It's exciting to see the number of talented young lads coming through that look like they can step up to senior level."
On Steven Kitshoff joining the team
"We know the value of it, it will be great to get him in, South Africa are two time world champions so any bit that you can learn from will be great. We won't be shy about getting him in. It was so good to see Duane Vermuelen win too, on a personal level seeing Duane win, I consider him a friend now and seeing him win the World Cup again was pretty cool."